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Name: Eden Harris
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: OBSERVATION TEMPLATE
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
A. I have read Acts 9:36-43 in both formal translations (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. Please
use the translation provided in your digital library or found at Biblegateway.com
o Yes
o No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities
and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You may list as many
similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the minimum amount.
1. Similarity – Both translations note that the disciple named Tabitha was helping those in need,
always doing good works, and they both mention that she became ill and died; her body was
moved upstairs into a room.
2. Similarity – Both translations state that “many people believed in the Lord” after Peter told
Tabitha to get up and helped her up on her feet.
3. Difference – One translation mentions that Tabitha was full of good works and acts of charity
(ESV), but the other states that she was “always doing good and helping the poor” (NIV).
4. – The ESV says that when the two men were sent to get Peter, they asked him toDifference
come without delay, but the NIV states that they asked him to come at once.
5. Difference – ESV translation states that when Peter turned to Tabitha’s body, he told her to
arise, and she opened her eyes and sat up once she saw him. He then lent her a hand and “raised
her up” (ESV). The NIV translation mentions that he looked at the dead woman and told her to
get up, so she opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He “took her by the hand and helped her to
her feet” (NIV).
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C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. :Main characters (List them)
Tabitha, Peter
2. :Plot (50-100 words)
In this passage, Tabitha is a disciple who helps the poor and always does charitable works. She
one day becomes ill and passes away. Two men were sent out to get Peter who was nearby and
urged him to come at once, and he was brought up into the room where he saw Tabitha lying. He
witnessed the widows standing by crying showing Peter the tunics that Tabitha had made them.
Peter then sent the widows out of the room. He got on his knees, prayed, and called for Tabitha
to get up. She then awoke and stood up. She was shown to the believers, and from that many
believed.
3. :Story structure (50-100 words)
Introduction: Tabitha who was a disciple had a heart for helping the poor and doing good works
Inciting Incident: She became sick and died
Rising Action: There were two men that were sent to go and get Peter and bring him to Tabitha
Climax: Peter knelt down on his knees and prayed. He then told Tabitha to arise and she did
Falling Action: Tabitha was shown to the believers
Resolution: Many believed in the Lord as a result of the miracle
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D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the
Gospels in Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,”
“what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” Please be detailed and specific.
1. Who: Tabitha, widows, two men, Peter, believers, Simon (a tanner)
2. What: Tabitha is a discipline who gives to the poor and does good works. She one day
becomes ill and dies. Two men are sent to get Peter for help in Lydda. He goes with them and
sees the widows there and they show him the garments that Tabitha made for them. He then
sends them out of the room and kneels down to pray. Then, he tells Tabitha to rise and she opens
her eyes, looks at Peter, and sits up. He helped her to her feet, and the witnesses were shocked by
what they saw that they believed in God’s miracle.
3. Where: Joppa, Tabitha’s house, Lydda
4. When: The book of Acts was estimated to be written around A.D. 62 (Hindson and Towns, p.
398).
5. Why:
- Why did Tabitha die?
Tabitha’s death was a testament to God’s healing and saving power. He worked through Peter to
perform one of His miracles so that the people would believe (Acts 9:40-42). God wanted people
to know Him.
- Why did Peter go to Joppa?
Peter was brought by two men to come see Tabitha. The Lord worked miraculously through
Peter to raise Tabitha up from the dead.
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- Why did Peter feel the need to be alone while he prayed over Tabitha?
Maybe Peter needed to focus while he was asking for the Lord to heal Tabitha and
perform a miracle to bring her back to life.
6. How:
- How did Tabitha help the poor and do good works?
She did things like make garments and cloaks for the widows (Acts (9:39).
- How was Tabitha’s body taken care of after her passing?
“About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an
upstairs room” (Acts 9:37).
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Bibliography
Hindson, Ed and Elmer L. Towns. Illustrated Bible Survey: An Introduction.
Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2017.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by
Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
